LOOSE MATERIAL PACKING AND DISPENSING DEVICE AND RELATED METHODS

Abstract

The present invention provides a propel/repel based loose material dispensing device, a hollow body, a movable platform, and a threaded shaft. The hollow body houses leafy material stored therein and comprises a dispensing opening at one end to dispense the leafy material. The movable platform is housed within the hollow body and may be used to dispense/move leafy material stored within the hollow body as well as compress it. The threaded shaft is operable to removably interface with the movable platform via an adjustable connection that enables a user to adjust the position of the movable platform via a rotatable base at one end of the shaft. The threaded shaft may also be removed from said movable platform and utilized as a packing tool to compress leafy material stored within the tube.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure relates to products comprised of loose material, such as those derived from ground or loose plant and leafy material such as herbs, hemp, or tobacco, herein after referred to as leafy material. Of particular interest are ingredients or components obtained or derived from plants or portions of plants, as well as the containers suitable for containing formulations incorporating such ingredients or components for subsequent dispensation to and by a user.

DISCUSSION OF THE BACKGROUND

Propel/repel based dispensers have various structures that are generally useful for dispensing various products, including lip balms, lipsticks, deodorants, and the like. In a typical screw-operated propel/repel dispenser, the material is stored within a chamber or body, such as a cylindrical tube, and is supported by an internally threaded platform. A rotatable threaded screw extends longitudinally inside the barrel and engages the elevator. The screw has a control knob located at a non-dispensing end of the barrel that determines the elevator's position. When the knob is turned, the screw is rotated inside the barrel, causing the elevator to travel longitudinally and push the material out of the barrel's opposite (dispensing) end.

While this is more than sufficient for the application of cosmetics this likes, a functional niche is created and unfulfilled by such propel for the dispensing of leafy material. For the dispensing of leafy material, such as herbs, hemp products, or tobacco, it may be desirable to compress the material to a particular density before being dispensed/consumed. Typical dispensers, operable to dispense leafy material, have no built-in mechanisms for leafy material compaction and require the leafy material to be compacted to the user's preference in advance or an additional tool (i.e. a packing tool) for the compaction of leafy material. For example, the user would require a packing tool or a thin rod-like object operable to fit within the dispenser to prod the leafy material stored therein to compress the leafy material to their liking. Thus, there remains a need for a leafy material dispenser operable to enable a user to dispense leafy material and compress it easily.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a propel/repel based dispensing device for leafy materials, hereinafter referred to as the dispenser, comprising a hollow cylindrical tube, a movable platform, and a threaded shaft. The hollow cylindrical tube, hereinafter referred to as the tube, may be used as a chamber to house loose material (e.g., ground and/or shredded leafy material such as herbs, tobacco, or hemp materials), store compacted material, and provide an opening at one end to dispense the leafy/compacted material. The movable platform is housed within the hollow cylindrical tube and may be used to dispense leafy material stored within the tube as well as compress it. The threaded shaft is operable to removably interface with the movable platform via an adjustable connection that enables a user to adjust the position of the movable platform via a rotatable base at one end of the shaft. The threaded shaft may also be removed from said movable platform and utilized as a packing tool to compress leafy material stored within the tube.

In some embodiments, the tube comprises a generally cylindrical shape with one end for dispensing leafy material stored therein and another end for moving/compressing leafy material. However, other embodiments may comprise any shape operable to store, compress, and dispense leafy material, including a triangular prism, rectangular prism, pentagonal prism, or other prism shapes. The size of the tube may depend on the primary function of the dispenser, wherein different diameters and lengths correspond to different primary functions of the tube. For example, the tube may have a smaller diameter, within the range of about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm (e.g. 0.5 cm, 1 cm, and 2.5 cm), for an embodiment wherein the primary function is to fit within a small confined space (i.e. pocket-sized). As another example, the tube may have a larger diameter, within the range of about 5 cm to about 10 cm (e.g. 6 cm, 7.5 cm, and 10 cm), for an embodiment wherein the primary function is to fit a large amount of leafy material (i.e. storage-sized). As yet another example, the tube may have a medium-sized diameter, within the range of about 2.5 cm to about 5 cm, for an embodiment that optimizes the size of the dispenser as well as the amount of leafy material the tube may store (e.g., travel-sized). For embodiments wherein the dispenser does not have a cylindrical shape, for example a box with a square cross-section, the primary function of the dispenser may correspond to the cross-sectional area of the dispenser. For example, a pocket-sized cylindrical embodiment may have a diameter of about 2 cm, and the corresponding pocket-sized box embodiment may have a square cross-section with a side length of about 1.77 cm. Both types of pocket-sized embodiments may have a cross-sectional surface area of about 3.14 sq cm. Similarly, the height of the dispenser may be within the range of about 3 cm to about 15 cm (e.g. 4 cm, 8 cm, and 15 cm) and may depend on the primary function of the dispenser.

In some embodiments, the tube, the movable platform, and the threaded shaft may primarily be comprised of plastic components, such as low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic or a mixture thereof, the tube may be comprised of any material rigid enough to maintain a rigid structure that may be utilized to compress leafy material including materials comprised of glass or metallic compositions. The material utilized for the dispenser may also depend on the primary function. For example, for storage, the dispenser may be primarily comprised of aluminum to provide a structure that's both rigid and durable for long-term use. As another example, for a pocket-sized embodiment, the dispenser may be comprised of a polypropylene material that is rigid for leafy material compression and disposable/recyclable after use.

The present invention comprises a threaded shaft operable to form an adjustable connection with the movable platform housed within the tube. The threaded shaft may comprise an end with a rotatable base, an end with a grip that enables a user to easily rotate the shaft. The rotatable base may have a shape that complements the tube's cross-section, generally circular or disc-like, with texturing, knurling or a pattern that enables a user to easily grab the rotatable base and turn it to rotate the shaft. If the threaded shaft is connected to the movable platform, the shaft may shift/propel the position of the movable platform such that it's closer to one end of the tube. For example, a clockwise rotation may shift the movable platform closer to the first end of the tube, corresponding to the dispensing opening, while a counterclockwise rotation may shift the movable platform closer to the second end of the tube.

The threaded shaft of the dispenser may also be removed from the movable platform and/or the tube, enabling a user to utilize it as a packing tool, a tool to compress leafy material within the tube. In such embodiments, the threaded shaft may comprise a rotatable base on the first end, and a packing tip optimized for compaction of herb on the second end. In some embodiments, the packing tip may simply comprise the tip of the shaft that tapers from the threading into a fine point that may be utilized to prod and pack leafy material within the tube. In such embodiments, the leafy material may be prodded until the material is compressed to the user's preference (e.g., thoroughly compressed). In other embodiments, the shaft may have a flat or rounded tip that maximizes the surface area of the packing tip to maximize the amount of herb that may be compressed every time the leafy material within the tube is prodded. In such embodiments, the packing tip may not protrude past the maximum diameter of the shaft (excluding the rotatable base). However, in other embodiments, the packing tip may protrude past the maximum diameter of the shaft, to increase the amount of leafy material that is compressed. In some embodiments, the packing tip may also be removable from the threaded shaft, enabling the packing tip to be removed when the threaded shaft is connected to the movable platform and attached when the threaded shaft is being utilized as a packing tool.

The present invention comprises a movable platform that may be utilized to move, dispense, or compress leafy material stored within the tube. The movable platform may be removably connected to the threaded shaft via an adjustable connection that may be used to adjust the position of the movable platform. In some embodiments, the adjustable connection comprises a threaded opening on the movable platform that has threading complementary to the threading on said threaded shaft, enabling the movable platform to shift in position within the tube when the threaded shaft is rotated. The movable platform may have a shape that's complementary to the cross-section of the tube and approximately the same size. For example, for a hollow cylindrical tube embodiment wherein the outer diameter is approximately 1 cm and an inner diameter of approximately 0.95 cm, the movable platform may have a circular shape with a diameter of approximately 0.94 cm.

In some embodiments, the inner surface of the tube may comprise a track, and the outer rim/edge of the movable platform may comprise a track interface, enabling the movable platform to smoothly glide along the track when being adjusted by the threaded shaft. For example, the tube may have a track comprising a ridge inwardly protruding from the inner surface of the tube and parallel to the threaded shaft. In such an example, the movable platform may have a track interface comprising an indented edge complementary to the track of the tube such that the movable platform may snuggly fit within the tube but still smoothly glide along the track when the threaded shaft is rotated. In some embodiments, the movable platform may also be structured complimentary to the tube, enabling it to easily scoop or hold leafy material within the tube while being moved. For example, the movable platform may have a similar hollow cylindrical shape, corresponding with the size and shape of the interior of the tube, with a platform operable to removably connect with the threaded shaft and hold leafy material as it moves. In such embodiments, the structure of the movable platform may also act as guide for the movable platform, limiting the movement of the movable platform within the tube.

In some embodiments, the tube's second end may comprise a securing mechanism, operable to removably connect said threaded shaft to the tube. In some embodiments, the securing mechanism may simply comprise a slotted opening comprising a shape that complements the base of the threaded shaft such that it may have a snap fit when secured. In some embodiments, the securing mechanism may be operable to seal the tube's second end, wherein the dispenser may be sealed when the threaded shaft is secured within the slotted opening. In some embodiments, the dispenser further comprises a slotted cap, operable to seal the slotted opening without inserting the threaded shaft. In such embodiments, the base of the threaded shaft may comprise a portion absent of threading and a protruding shape that complements the slotted opening such that the threaded shaft snaps into place when secured by said slotted opening.

In some embodiments, the dispenser further comprises a cap operable to seal the dispensing opening of the tube. In such embodiments, the cap may have a predetermined volume, enabling the cap to function as a measuring tool to dispense/transport a predetermined amount of leafy material. In such embodiments, the length of the cap may be within the range of about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm, depending on the primary functionality and/or the desired predetermined volume. For example, the length of a cap may be approximately 1.25 cm for a pocket-sized embodiment. In some embodiments, the current invention may provide a plurality of caps of different lengths, enabling a user to pick the cap that can hold their preferred amount of leafy material. In some embodiments, the cap may be used to provide a rigid surface such that the movable platform may compress leafy material by pushing it against the cap's inner surface. For example, the user may fill the tube with leafy material and seal the dispensing end with the cap. The user may rotate the knob, thereby turning the threaded shaft such that the movable platform advances towards the dispensing end, causing the leafy material to compress between the movable platform and the cap's inner surface. Alternatively, the user may simply press any rigid surface against the dispensing end such that it seals it to compress the leafy material in the same manner. For example, the user may simply press their finger against the dispensing opening to form a rigid surface and rotate the threaded shaft to propel the movable platform to the dispensing opening, compressing the leafy material between the movable platform and the user's finger.

In some embodiments, the present invention may further comprise a match sleeve that envelops the outer surface of the tube, comprising a match holder and a striking surface to light matches. The match holder may comprise any mechanism operable to temporarily secure at least one match to the match sleeve, including pockets, pouches, rings/loops, ties, hook-and-loops, adhesives, or a combination thereof. For example, the match holder may comprise a pocket operable to hold a plurality of matches, with an opening comprised of a hook-and-loop system such that the match holder can be easily accessed and closed. In another example, wherein the match sleeve is comprised of elastic material, the match holder may comprise a plurality of loops protruding from the match sleeve that may expand in size and contract around a match to secure it in place.

It is an aspect of the present invention, to provide a propel/repel based loose material dispensing device comprising: a hollow cylindrical tube operable to store and dispense leafy material comprising a dispensing opening at a first end of the hollow cylindrical tube; a movable platform operable to move and dispense leafy material stored within the hollow cylindrical rube; and a threaded shaft operable to form an adjustable connection with the movable platform and comprising a rotatable base at a first end of the threaded shaft that may be operable to rotate the threaded shaft thereby adjusting the position of the movable platform, the threaded shaft operable to be disconnected from the hollow cylindrical tube such that the threaded shaft can be used to compact leafy material in the hollow cylindrical tube. The threaded shaft may be operable to be removed from the movable platform and function as a packing tool to compress leafy material stored within the hollow cylindrical tube. The second end of the threaded shaft may be further comprising a packing tip optimized for compaction of leafy material stored within the hollow cylindrical tube. The adjustable connection may comprise a threaded opening on the movable platform with threading that complements threading on the threaded shaft such that the movable platform is operable to move along the threading of the shaft when the rotatable base is rotated. The second end of the hollow cylindrical tube comprises a securing mechanism operable to removably connect the threaded shaft to the hollow cylindrical tube. The securing mechanism may be operable to seal the second end of the hollow cylindrical tube. The securing mechanism may include a slot opening having a shape complementary to the base of the threaded shaft such that the threaded shaft may be secured and removed from the slotted opening with the application of force on the threaded shaft. The movable platform may be operable to compress the leafy material when a rigid surface seals the dispensing opening. The hollow cylindrical tube further comprises a cap operable to interface with and seal the dispensing opening of the hollow cylindrical tube. The movable platform may be operable to compress leafy material when the movable platform is moved closer to the dispensing opening when the cap is secured to the dispensing opening. The cap may be operable to transport a predetermined amount of compressed loose material from the hollow cylindrical tube. The hollow cylindrical tube comprises a plurality of caps of various sizes to enable a user to transport a desired amount of compressed loose material by selecting a cap of the appropriate size. The inner surface of the hollow cylindrical tube may include a track, and the movable platform may include an edge complementary to the track such that the movable platform is operable to move along the track when the threaded shaft is rotated. The loose material dispenser may include a match sleeve wrapped around the outer surface of the hollow cylindrical tube comprising a striking surface and a match holder operable to hold at least one match.

It is a further aspect of the present invention to include, a loose material dispensing device comprising: a hollow body operable to store and dispense leafy material including a dispensing opening at a first end and a slot collar on a second end opposite to said first end; a movable platform having threading at the center of the platform and being operable to linearly translate and dispense leafy material stored within the hollow body; a cap operable to seal and store the leafy material in the hollow body at the dispensing opening of the hollow body; and a translation mechanism including a threaded shaft connected to a rigid base with a wedge connector therebetween that may be operable to temporarily secure the translation mechanism to the hollow body through the slot collar. The translation mechanisms threaded shaft may engage with the moveable platform threading and may allow a user to rotate the rigid base, thereby linearly advancing the moveable platform and dispensing the leafy material. The hollow body may further include at least one linear guide protruding out from an interior surface along a length of the hollow body. The movable platform may further include a guide positioned on an exterior surface of the movable platform and having a geometry substantially complementary to the hollow body linear guide. The translation mechanism may be operable to compress the leafy material against an upper interior surface of said cap. The wedge connector may be operable to disengage the translation mechanism from the hollow body while the moveable platform is secured to the threaded shaft and may be operable to be used as a compression surface for packing the leafy material. The hollow body may further include a locking interface on an exterior surface of the hollow body and may be adjacent to the dispensing end and includes a plurality of cam paths operable to secure said cap. The cap includes a plurality of followers operable to slidably engage with the plurality of cam paths and may be extruded from an interior surface perimeter of the cap. The cap includes a dampener at said upper interior surface and said interior surface perimeter that is operable to engage and temporarily compress against a perimeter edge of the hollow body dispensing end when a user is securing or removing the cap. The hollow body has a substantially rectangular exterior surface. The hollow body has a substantially circular exterior surface.

Further aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those having skill in the art from the description and disclosure provided herein.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a system for storing, dispensing, and compacting leafy material in a compact form.

It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutations of embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although reference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows an elevated exploded view of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an elevated perspective view of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows a cross sectional view of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows an elevated side view of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows an elevated side view of components of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows a cross sectional view of components of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 shows an environmental perspective of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows an elevated perspective view of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an elevated perspective view of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows an elevated exploded view of a loose material packing and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 shows an elevated top view of a component of a loose material packing and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 shows an elevated bottom view of a component of a loose material packing and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 shows a cross sectional view of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 shows an elevated top view of a component of a loose material packing and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 shows an elevated bottom view of a component of a loose material packing and dispensing device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16A shows a semi cross-sectional view of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16B shows a semi cross-sectional view of a loose material packing and dispensing device, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Reference will now be made in detail to certain embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. While the invention will be described in reference to these figures and certain implementations and examples of the embodiments, it will be understood that such implementations and examples are not intended to limit the invention. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover alternatives, modifications, and equivalents that are included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. In the following disclosure, specific details are given to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. References to various features of the “present invention” throughout this document do not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced features. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details or features.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference characters may be used to designate like or corresponding parts throughout the several views, and referring particularly to FIGS. 1-16B, it is seen that the present invention includes various embodiments of a propel and repel based loose material dispenser operable to compress loose leafy material to a compact state.

Without limiting the invention, FIG. 1, an exploded view of an exemplary loose material tube dispenser according to an embodiment of the present invention. The dispenser may include a propel/repel-based loose material dispensing device 100 comprising a hollow cylindrical tube 101, a movable platform 102, and a threaded shaft 103. The hollow cylindrical tube 101, hereinafter referred to as the tube or hollow body, may be used as a chamber to house leafy material stored therein and comprises a dispensing opening at one end for dispensing of the leafy material. As shown in FIG. 3, a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention, the movable platform 102 is housed within the hollow cylindrical tube and may be used to dispense/move leafy material stored within the tube as well as compress it. The threaded shaft 103 is operable to removably interface with the movable platform 102 via an adjustable connection that enables a user to adjust the position of the movable platform 102 via a rotatable base 131 at one end of the shaft. The threaded shaft 103 may also be removed from said movable platform 102 and utilized as a packing tool to compress leafy material stored within the tube.

In some embodiments, such as the one shown in FIG. 2, the dispenser 100 comprises a generally cylindrical shape with one end for dispensing leafy material stored therein and another end for moving/compressing leafy material. As shown in FIG. 4, the size of the dispenser 100 may depend on the primary function of the dispenser, wherein different diameters 111 and heights 112 correspond to different primary functions of the dispenser 100. It should be noted that while FIG. 4 exemplifies the dimensions of the dispenser 100, the dimensions of the dispenser correspond directly with the dimensions of the tube 101, therefore, the following examples may apply to both the dispenser 100 and the tube 101. For example, the tube 100 may have a smaller diameter 111, within the range of about 0.5 cm to about 3 cm (e.g., 0.5 cm, 1 cm, and 2.5 cm), for an embodiment wherein the primary function of the dispenser is to fit within a small confined space (i.e., pocket-sized). As another example, the tube may have a larger diameter, within the range of about 5 cm to about 10 cm (e.g., 6 cm, 7.5 cm, and 10 cm), for an embodiment wherein the primary function is to fit a large amount of leafy material (i.e. storage-sized). As yet another example, the tube may have a medium-sized diameter, within the range of about 2.5 cm to about 5 cm, for an embodiment that optimizes the size of the dispenser as well as the amount of leafy material the tube may store (i.e. travel-sized). Similarly, the height 112 of the tube 101 may be within the range of about 3 cm to about 15 cm (e.g. 4 cm, 8 cm, and 15 cm) and may depend on the primary function of the dispenser 100. The movable platform 102 may have a thickness or height ranging from about 4 mm to about 10 mm depending on the diameter of the tube.

While in some embodiments, the tube 101, the movable platform 102, and the threaded shaft 103 may primarily be comprised of plastic components, such as low-density polyethylene, linear low-density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, polypropylene, acrylic or a mixture thereof, the tube may be comprised of any material rigid enough to maintain a rigid structure that may be utilized to compress leafy material including materials comprised of glass or metallic compositions. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, for a pocket-sized embodiment, the dispenser 100 may be comprised predominantly of polypropylene such that it's sufficiently rigid for loose material compression but may also be disposed/recycled after use.

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the present invention comprises a threaded shaft 103 operable to form an adjustable connection with the movable platform 102 housed within the tube 101. The threaded shaft may comprise an end with a rotatable base 131, an end with a grip that enables a user to easily rotate the shaft. If the threaded shaft is connected to the movable platform 102, the shaft may shift/propel the position of the movable platform such that it's closer to one end of the tube. For example, a clockwise rotation may shift the movable platform closer to the first end of the tube, corresponding to the dispensing opening, while a counter-clockwise rotation may shift the movable platform closer to the second end of the tube.

As shown in FIG. 7, the threaded shaft 103 of the dispenser 100 may also be removed from the movable platform 102 and/or the tube 101, enabling a user to utilize it as a packing tool, a tool to compress leafy material 105 within the tube. In such embodiments, the threaded shaft may comprise a rotatable base 131 on the first end, and a packing tip 132 optimized for compaction of leafy material 105 on the second end. In some embodiments, the packing tip 132 may simply comprise the tip of the shaft that tapers from the threading into a fine point that may be utilized to prod and manipulate leafy material 105 within the tube. In such embodiments, the leafy material may be compressed with the packing tip 132 to the user's preference (e.g., thoroughly compressed).

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the dispenser comprises a movable platform 102 that may be utilized to move, dispense, or compress leafy material stored within the tube 101. The movable platform may be removably connected to the threaded shaft via an adjustable connection 121 that may be used to adjust the position of the movable platform. In some embodiments, the adjustable connection simply comprises a threaded opening 121 on the movable platform 102 that has threading 122 complementary to the threading 133 on said threaded shaft, enabling the movable platform 102 to shift in position within the tube 101 when the threaded shaft 103 is rotated.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the inner surface of the tube may comprise a track 113 and the outer rim/edge of the movable platform 102 may comprise a track interface 123, enabling the movable platform to smoothly glide along the track when being adjusted by the threaded shaft and preventing rotation of the platform. For example, as shown in FIG. 8, the tube 101 may have a track 113 comprising a line protruding from the inner surface of the tube and parallel to the threaded shaft. In such an example, the movable platform 102 may have a track interface 123 comprising an indented edge complementary to the track of the tube such that the movable platform may snuggly fit within the tube but still smoothly glide along the track when the threaded shaft is rotated. In some embodiments, the movable platform may also be structured complimentary to the tube, enabling it to easily scoop or hold leafy material within the tube while being moved. For example, the movable platform may have a similar hollow cylindrical shape, corresponding with the size and shape of the interior of the tube, with a platform operable to removably connect with the threaded shaft and hold leafy material as it moves. In such embodiments, the structure of the movable platform may also act as rail guides for the movable platform, limiting the movement of the movable platform within the tube.

In some embodiments, the second end of tube 101 may comprise a securing mechanism, operable to reversibly connect said threaded shaft to the tube. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 9, the securing mechanism 114 may simply comprise a slotted opening comprising a shape that complements a base shaft securement mechanism 134 of the threaded shaft 103 such that it may be snap-fit when secured (see FIG. 6). In some embodiments, the securing mechanism 114 may be operable to seal the second end of the tube, wherein the dispenser is sealed when the threaded shaft is secured within the slotted opening.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 1-4, the dispenser may further comprise a cap 104 operable to seal the dispensing opening of the tube. In such embodiments, the cap may have a predetermined volume, enabling the cap to function as a measuring tool to dispense/transport a predetermined amount of leafy material. In such embodiments, the length of the cap 104 may be within the range of about 0.5 cm to about 5 cm, depending on the primary functionality and/or the desired predetermined volume. For example, the length of a cap may be approximately 1.25 cm for a pocket-sized embodiment. In some embodiments, the current invention may provide a plurality of caps of different lengths, enabling a user to pick the cap that can hold their preferred amount of leafy material. In some embodiments, the cap may be used to provide a rigid surface such that the movable platform may compress leafy material by pushing it against the cap's inner surface. For example, the user may place leafy material within the tube, seal the dispensing end with the cap, and rotate the threaded shaft such that the movable platform is propelled to the dispensing opening, causing the leafy material to be compressed between the movable platform and the cap's inner surface. Alternatively, the user may simply press any rigid surface against the dispensing end such that it seals it to compress the leafy material in the same manner. For example, the user may simply press their finger against the dispensing opening to form a rigid surface and rotate the threaded shaft to propel the movable platform to the dispensing opening, compressing the leafy material between the movable platform and the user's finger.

In some embodiments, the tube dispenser 200, may include a hollow body 201, a translation mechanism 203, a movable platform 202, and a cap 204, as shown in FIG. 10. The hollow body 201 may be substantially tubular and have a concentric collar 214 positioned near the base of the hollow body 201, as shown in FIG. 12. The concentric collar 214 may be operable to removably secure a shaft 233 of the translation mechanism 203. The translation mechanism 203 may include a rotatable base that is rigidly attached to the base of the shaft 233, and the shaft 233 may have threading that is operable to engage with the movable platform 202. The movable platform 202 may have a small thickness to increase the compressible volume within the hollow body 201, as shown in FIG. 13. The movable platform 202 may include a slotted guide 223 and may translate linearly up the hollow body 201. The slotted guide 223 may interact with an elongated track 213 extruded from the interior surface of the hollow body 201. The elongated track 213 may provide rotational interference of the movable platform 202 and aid in the linear translation of platform 202. In such embodiments, the movable platform 202 provides a low-profile thickness, maximizing the compressible volume of hollow body 201.

In some embodiments, the dispenser 200 may include a child safety locking mechanism. In such embodiments, the hollow body 201 may include a plurality of locking interfaces 215 that engage with followers 204s of the cap 204. FIG. 11 shows a plurality of followers 204s that protrude inward from the cap interior surface and have a geometry complementary to the inlet of the locking interface 215. The cap 204 may further have a dampening material 204b that is operable to compress against a top surface of the hollow body 201, thereby requiring a user to apply constant pressure to the cap 204 to fasten and remove the cap 204 to the hollow body 201. The locking interface 215 and the cap followers 204s may be provided as a child-proof medicine lock found in medicine bottles.

The present invention provides a system for compressing leafy material, and the dispenser 200 may have a variable interior volume 200c, as indicated in FIG. 13. The variable volume 200c may be defined by the position of a movable platform's 202 top surface with respect to the interior surface of the cap 204. When a user fills the hollow body 201 with loose leafy material, the movable platform 202 may be configured at a lower position, where the bottom surface of the movable platform 202 is positioned against the collar 214, as illustrated in FIG. 16B. To compact and compress the leafy material to a denser state, a user may rotate the base 231, and the threaded shaft 233 may linearly advance the movable platform 202 up the hollow body 201. The leafy material may fill the interior space, thereby compressing the leafy material between the cap 204 and the movable platform 202.

In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 14-15, the collar 214 may have a slot 214c that allows the translation mechanism 203 to be easily inserted and removed from the hollow body 201. The threaded shaft 233 may have a wedge member 234 that interfaces between the rotatable base 131 and the distal end of the threaded shaft 133. The wedge member 234 may secure the translation member 203 to the hollow body 201 through the collar slot 214c. In such embodiments, the threaded shaft 233 may configure the moveable platform 202 at a fixed position and the wedge member 234 may slide through the slot collar 214c, and the moveable platform 203 may be used as a piston and may translate back and forth to compress the leafy material against the cap 204. The translation region 200t may be proportional to the position of the moveable platform 203 and the wedge member 234 and may have a relationship with the compression region, as shown in FIG. 16A. The translation region 200t may be limited to the position of the moveable platform 202 and the wedge member 234, as shown in FIG. 16B. Further, in such embodiments, a user may have the option to rotatably advance the movable platform 202 or use the top surface of the movable platform 202 as a piston hammer by disengaging the translation mechanism 203 from the hollow body 201.

In some embodiments, the base 231 may have the same diameter as the interior surface of the hollow body 201. In such embodiments, the advancement mechanism 203 may be operable to disengage from the movable platform 202 when the platform is at the lower position, as shown in 16B. The base 233 may be inserted into the hollow body 201, and the leafy material may be compressed against the upper surface of the movable platform 202. The threaded shaft 233 may then be fastened to the movable platform 202, and the advancement mechanism 203 may translate the movable platform 202 to the upper position, and the wedge member 234 may be resecured to the securing mechanism 214. The threaded shaft 233 may have a length equal to the length of the hollow body 201, and the base 233 may have a slot complementary to the track 113 to prevent rotation of the base in the hollow body 201 and the disruption of the leafy material while being compressed.

It is to be understood that variations, modifications, and permutations of embodiments of the present invention, and uses thereof, may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. It is also to be understood that the present invention is not limited by the specific embodiments, descriptions, or illustrations or combinations of either components or steps disclosed herein. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Although reference has been made to the accompanying figures, it is to be appreciated that these figures are exemplary and are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto and their equivalents.

Claims

1. A propel/repel-based dispensing device comprising:

a. a hollow cylindrical tube operable to store and dispense leafy material comprising a dispensing opening at a first end of said hollow cylindrical tube;

b. a movable platform operable to move and dispense leafy material stored within said hollow cylindrical rube; and

c. a threaded shaft operable to form an adjustable connection with said movable platform and comprising a rotatable base at a first end of said threaded shaft operable to rotate said threaded shaft thereby adjusting the position of said movable platform, said threaded shaft operable to be disconnected from said hollow cylindrical tube such that the threaded shaft can be used to compact said leafy material in said hollow cylindrical tube.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein said threaded shaft is operable to be removed from said movable platform and function as a packing tool to compress leafy material stored within said hollow cylindrical tube.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the second end of said threaded shaft further comprising a packing tip optimized for compaction of leafy material stored within said hollow cylindrical tube.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein said adjustable connection comprises a threaded opening on said movable platform with threading that complements threading on said threaded shaft such that the movable platform is operable to move along the threading of the shaft when said rotatable base is rotated.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the second end of said hollow cylindrical tube comprises a securing mechanism operable to removably connect said threaded shaft to said hollow cylindrical tube.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein said securing mechanism is operable to seal said second end of said hollow cylindrical tube.

7. The device of claim 5, wherein said securing mechanism is a slot opening having a shape complementary to the base of said threaded shaft such that said threaded shaft is secured and removed from said slotted opening with the application of force on said threaded shaft.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein said movable platform is operable to compress said leafy material when a rigid surface seals said dispensing opening.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein said hollow cylindrical tube further comprises a cap operable to interface with and seal said dispensing opening of said hollow cylindrical tube.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein said movable platform is operable to compress leafy material when said movable platform is moved closer to said dispensing opening when said cap is secured to said dispensing opening.

11. The device of claim 10, wherein said cap is operable to transport a predetermined amount of compressed loose material from said hollow cylindrical tube.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said hollow cylindrical tube comprises a plurality of caps of various sizes to enable a user to transport a desired amount of compressed loose material by selecting a cap of the appropriate size.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the inner surface of said hollow cylindrical tube comprises a track, and said movable platform comprises an edge complementary to said track such that said movable platform is operable to move along said track when said threaded shaft is rotated.

14. The device of claim 1, further comprising a match sleeve wrapped around the outer surface of said hollow cylindrical tube comprising a striking surface and a match holder operable to hold at least one match.

15. A dispensing device comprising:

a. a hollow body operable to store and dispense leafy material comprising a dispensing opening at a first end and a slot collar on a second end opposite to said first end;

b. a movable platform having threading at the center of the platform and being operable to linearly translate and dispense leafy material stored within said hollow body;

c. a cap operable to seal and store said leafy material in said hollow body at said dispensing opening of said hollow body; and

d. a translation mechanism having a threaded shaft connected to a rigid base with a wedge connector therebetween that is operable to temporarily secure the translation mechanism to said hollow body through said slot collar, wherein said translation mechanism threaded shaft engages with said moveable platform threading and allows a user to rotate said rigid base, thereby linearly advancing said moveable platform and dispensing said leafy material.

16. The device of claim 15, wherein said hollow body further comprises at least one linear guide protruding out from an interior surface along a length of said hollow body.

17. The device of claim 15, wherein said movable platform further comprises a guide positioned on an exterior surface of said movable platform and having a geometry substantially complementary to said hollow body linear guide.

18. The device of claim 15, wherein said translation mechanism is operable to compress said leafy material against an upper interior surface of said cap.

19. The device of claim 15, wherein said wedge connector is operable to disengage the translation mechanism from said hollow body while said moveable platform is secured to said threaded shaft and is operable to be used as a compression surface for packing said leafy material.

20. The device of claim 15, wherein said hollow body is further comprising a locking interface on an exterior surface of the hollow body and is adjacent to the dispensing end and includes a plurality of cam paths operable to secure said cap.

21. (canceled)

22. (canceled)

23. (canceled)

24. (canceled)